The Government's electronic information portal on February 2 reported that the Government has just issued Decree No. 45/2025/ND-CP (Decree The Government) regulating the organization of specialized agencies under the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities and the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities under provinces and cities under centrally run cities.
The regulation that attracts much attention in Decree 45 is the maximum number of departments and the number of department directors and deputy department directors in each locality.
In which, Decree 45 clearly states that the total number of departments established must not exceed the maximum number of departments:
For Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, 15 departments are organized. These two cities are also decided to establish, reorganize, change names, dissolve departments, ensure compliance with local characteristics, regulations of the Capital Law and related legal documents.
For other provinces and cities, no more than 14 departments are organized.
Decree 45 also specifically stipulates the head, deputy head of the department and the number of deputy heads of organizations under the department.
In which, the Director of a department under the Provincial People's Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, responsible before the People's Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and before the law for performing the functions, tasks and powers of the department according to the Working Regulations and assigning the Provincial People's Committee;
Deputy Directors of Departments under the Provincial People's Committee appointed by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee at the request of the Department Director, assist the Department Director in performing one or a number of specific tasks assigned by the Department Director and be responsible to the Department Director and before the law for performing assigned tasks.
When the Department Director is absent, a Deputy Director of the Department is authorized by the Department Director to replace the Department Director in charge of the Department's operations. The Deputy Director of the Department shall not concurrently hold the position of head of an organization or unit under or directly under the Department, unless otherwise provided by law.
According to Decree 45, each department has an average of 3 Deputy Directors. However, based on the number of departments established and the total number of Deputy Directors, the Provincial People's Committee will specifically decide on the number of Deputy Directors of each department accordingly.
In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City alone, in addition to the total number of Deputy Directors according to the general average, each city will have no more than 10 Deputy Directors.
Another notable content is stipulated in Decree 45 of the Government when the number of deputy leaders exceeds the maximum allowed level.
Accordingly, when arranging the state apparatus organization where the number of deputy heads of agencies, organizations and units is greater than the maximum number prescribed by law, Decree 45 stipulates that no later than 5 years from the effective date of the decision to reorganize the apparatus by the competent authority, the number of deputy heads of agencies, organizations and units must comply with regulations.
